Cyprus

Average December high: 20C

Aphrodite's mythical birthplace near Paphos has much to lure the visitor: white sandy beaches, a rugged coastline, archaeological sites, and nature trails following in the footsteps of the goddess herself. And for devotees of Dionysus, this is an ideal time to head inland for a tour of wine-producing villages and monasteries.• Amarakos (+357 22 313374 amarakos.com), a guesthouse in the village of Kato Akourdalia, has doubles for €77 per night in low season. EasyJet flies (easyjet.com) to Paphos from various UK airports from £125 return

Cape Verde

Average December high: 26C

Soak up the winter sunshine on one of the stunning beaches on Boa Vista, one of the 10 islands in the Cape Verde archipelago, famed for its funky music – a fusion of West African, South American and European styles. • Seven nights with Cape Verde Experience (0845 330 2047, capeverdeexperience.co.uk) at the Marien Club Hotel in Boa Vista from 3 December costs £574 (saving £200), including flights from Manchester

Zanzibar

Average December high: 31C

With an average year-round water temperature of 27C, this Indian Ocean island is the perfect winter destination for swimming, snorkelling and diving. But there's plenty more to Zanzibar inland. The Swahili House, in the heart of the capital Stone Town, arranges day trips to spice plantations and forests and diving excursions.• The Swahili House (+255 777 510 209 theswahilihouse.com) has doubles from £100 per night. Kenya Airways (kenya-airways.com) flies from Heathrow, via Nairobi, from £517 return in December

Lanzarote

Average December high: 22C

The Canary Islands have some of the best deals on offer for winter travel on a budget. Escape the crowds at Caleta de Famara, a quiet fishing village with a pretty harbour on the north-west coast. Famara boasts some of the longest stretches of sandy beach on the island; it's a surfers' paradise with numerous surf schools. • Monarch (0871 940 5040, flymonarch.com) flies from Luton for £94 return. Casa Chicho (01579 320147, famara-bungalow.co.uk) sleeps four and costs €130 per night